With the Russian ruble’s value at historic lows and the country’s central bank predicting an imminent recession, President Vladimir Putin struck a combative tone in his annual address to the Federal Assembly in Moscow on Thursday. Criticizing international sanctions imposed after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, he said, “talking to Russia from a position of force is an exercise in futility.”
If Putin meant to instill confidence in the health of the Russian economy among his listeners, he probably lessened the effect by practically begging Russians with assets overseas — even assets obtained through potentially illegal means — to bring their money home.
ith the Russian ruble’s value at historic lows and the country’s central bank predicting an imminent recession, President Vladimir Putin struck a combative tone in his annual address to the Federal Assembly in Moscow on Thursday. Criticizing international sanctions imposed after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, he said, “talking to Russia from a position of force is an exercise in futility.”
If Putin meant to instill confidence in the health of the Russian economy among his listeners, he probably lessened the effect by practically begging Russians with assets overseas — even assets obtained through potentially illegal means — to bring their money home.
- See more at: http://www.thefiscaltimes.com/2014/12/05/Putin-Urges-Oligarchs-Criminals-Bring-Dirty-Money-Back-Russia#sthash.UNCStFla.dpuf